Buffaloberry for birds in Oregon
Tart red fruit that persists into winter. Native to Oregon, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Shepherdia argentea
- Native status
- Native in Oregon
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Oregon birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Oregon
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
Oregon birds that use Buffaloberry
Year-round residents (16)
House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (9)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (2)
Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Nesting season it supports in Oregon
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Buffaloberry:
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
- Eastern Kingbird — May–July
- European Starling — April–June
Native plants to pair with Buffaloberry in Oregon
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Buffaloberry native to Oregon?
Yes. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is recorded as native in Oregon. Oregon spans USDA 4b–9b.
What birds does Buffaloberry attract in Oregon?
In Oregon, Buffaloberry supports 27 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Catbird.
Does Buffaloberry help nesting birds in Oregon?
25 of those birds nest in Oregon: House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June).
Which winter birds use Buffaloberry in Oregon?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Oregon during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.